A survey of rats trapped in the wellington area for ectoparasites and organisms of the salmonella, pasteurella, and leptospiral groups

Abstract

Abstract Extract It has long been established that rats can play an important part in the transference of infectious diseases to man. With this fact in mind, the late Dr J. H. Blakelock, former Director of the National Health Institute, Wellington, began a survey of the rat population in the Wellington district and of rats brought to the area by overseas ships. This work has been continued, the trapped rats being examined for the presence of Xenopsylla cheopis, a flea known to be the chief vector of plague, for Pasteurella pestis, the causative organism of plague, for organisms of the Salmonella group, and for evidence of leptospiral infection.